1
|
Ingebretson AE, Alonso-Caraballo Y, Razidlo JA, Lemos JC. Corticotropin releasing factor alters the functional diversity of accumbal cholinergic interneurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.17.558116. [PMID: 37745598 PMCID: PMC10516029 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.17.558116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) provide the main source of acetylcholine in the striatum and have emerged as a critical modulator of behavioral flexibility, motivation, and associative learning. In the dorsal striatum, ChIs display heterogeneous firing patterns. Here, we investigated the spontaneous firing patterns of ChIs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, a region of the ventral striatum. We identified four distinct ChI firing signatures: regular single-spiking, irregular single-spiking, rhythmic bursting, and a mixed-mode pattern composed of bursting activity and regular single spiking. ChIs from females had lower firing rates compared to males and had both a higher proportion of mixed-mode firing patterns and a lower proportion of regular single-spiking neurons compared to males. We further observed that across the estrous cycle, the diestrus phase was characterized by higher proportions of irregular ChI firing patterns compared to other phases. Using pooled data from males and females, we examined how the stress-associated neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) impacts these firing patterns. ChI firing patterns showed differential sensitivity to CRF. This translated into differential ChI sensitivity to CRF across the estrous cycle. Furthermore, CRF shifted the proportion of ChI firing patterns toward more regular spiking activity over bursting patterns. Finally, we found that repeated stressor exposure altered ChI firing patterns and sensitivity to CRF in the NAc core, but not the NAc shell. These findings highlight the heterogeneous nature of ChI firing patterns, which may have implications for accumbal-dependent motivated behaviors.
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang S, Li M, Wang N, Song Y, Peng X, Chen M. Functional characterization of two DH44R genes associated with starvation and desiccation in Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 201:105902. [PMID: 38685224 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
CRF-like diuretic hormone receptor (CRF/DHR), also known as DH44R in insects, are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that play a role in regulating osmotic balance in various insect species. These receptors have the potential to be targeted for the development of insecticides. However, our understanding of the role of DHR genes in aphids, including Rhopalosiphum padi, a major wheat pest, is currently limited. In this study, we isolated and characterized two R. padi DHRs (RpDHR1 and RpDHR2). The expression levels of RpDHR1 increased after starvation and were restored after re-feeding. The expression levels of RpDHR1 gene decreased significantly 24 h after injection of dsRNA targeting the gene. Knockdown of RpDHR1 increased aphid mortality under starvation conditions (24, 36, 48 and 60 h). Under starvation and desiccation condition, the aphid mortality decreased after knockdown of RpDHR1. This is the first study to report the role of DHR genes in the starvation and desiccation response of aphids. The results suggest that RpDHR1 is involved in the resistance of R. padi to starvation and dehydration, making it a potential target for insecticide development. Novel insecticides could be created by utilizing DHR agonists to disrupt the physiological processes of insect pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengtian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ni Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yue Song
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Maohua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Meloni EG, Carlezon WA, Bolshakov VY. Association between social dominance hierarchy and PACAP expression in the extended amygdala, corticosterone, and behavior in C57BL/6 male mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8919. [PMID: 38637645 PMCID: PMC11026503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59459-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The natural alignment of animals into social dominance hierarchies produces adaptive, and potentially maladaptive, changes in the brain that influence health and behavior. Aggressive and submissive behaviors assumed by animals through dominance interactions engage stress-dependent neural and hormonal systems that have been shown to correspond with social rank. Here, we examined the association between social dominance hierarchy status established within cages of group-housed mice and the expression of the stress peptide PACAP in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). We also examined the relationship between social dominance rank and blood corticosterone (CORT) levels, body weight, motor coordination (rotorod) and acoustic startle. Male C57BL/6 mice were ranked as either Dominant, Submissive, or Intermediate based on counts of aggressive/submissive encounters assessed at 12 weeks-old following a change in homecage conditions. PACAP expression was significantly higher in the BNST, but not the CeA, of Submissive mice compared to the other groups. CORT levels were lowest in Submissive mice and appeared to reflect a blunted response following events where dominance status is recapitulated. Together, these data reveal changes in specific neural/neuroendocrine systems that are predominant in animals of lowest social dominance rank, and implicate PACAP in brain adaptations that occur through the development of social dominance hierarchies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward G Meloni
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
- McLean Hospital, Mailman Research Center, 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
| | - William A Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhao W, Yu YM, Wang XY, Xia SH, Ma Y, Tang H, Tao M, Li H, Xu Z, Yang JX, Wu P, Zhang H, Ding HL, Cao JL. CRF regulates pain sensation by enhancement of corticoaccumbal excitatory synaptic transmission. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02488-7. [PMID: 38454083 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02488-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Both peripheral and central corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems have been implicated in regulating pain sensation. However, compared with the peripheral, the mechanisms underlying central CRF system in pain modulation have not yet been elucidated, especially at the neural circuit level. The corticoaccumbal circuit, a structure rich in CRF receptors and CRF-positive neurons, plays an important role in behavioral responses to stressors including nociceptive stimuli. The present study was designed to investigate whether and how CRF signaling in this circuit regulated pain sensation under physiological and pathological pain conditions. Our studies employed the viral tracing and circuit-, and cell-specific electrophysiological methods to label the CRF-containing circuit from the medial prefrontal cortex to the nucleus accumbens shell (mPFCCRF-NAcS) and record its neuronal propriety. Combining optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulation, neuropharmacological methods, and behavioral tests, we were able to precisely manipulate this circuit and depict its role in regulation of pain sensation. The current study found that the CRF signaling in the NAc shell (NAcS), but not NAc core, was necessary and sufficient for the regulation of pain sensation under physiological and pathological pain conditions. This process was involved in the CRF-mediated enhancement of excitatory synaptic transmission in the NAcS. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the mPFCCRF neurons monosynaptically connected with the NAcS neurons. Chronic pain increased the protein level of CRF in NAcS, and then maintained the persistent NAcS neuronal hyperactivity through enhancement of this monosynaptic excitatory connection, and thus sustained chronic pain behavior. These findings reveal a novel cell- and circuit-based mechanistic link between chronic pain and the mPFCCRF → NAcS circuit and provide a potential new therapeutic target for chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weinan Zhao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu-Mei Yu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sun-Hui Xia
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Ma
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huimei Tang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingshu Tao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - He Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun-Xia Yang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hai-Lei Ding
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sze Y, Brunton PJ. How is prenatal stress transmitted from the mother to the fetus? J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246073. [PMID: 38449331 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal stress programmes long-lasting neuroendocrine and behavioural changes in the offspring. Often this programming is maladaptive and sex specific. For example, using a rat model of maternal social stress in late pregnancy, we have demonstrated that adult prenatally stressed male, but not prenatally stressed female offspring display heightened anxiety-like behaviour, whereas both sexes show hyperactive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses to stress. Here, we review the current knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning dysregulated HPA axis responses, including evidence supporting a role for reduced neurosteroid-mediated GABAergic inhibitory signalling in the brains of prenatally stressed offspring. How maternal psychosocial stress is signalled from the mother to the fetuses is unclear. Direct transfer of maternal glucocorticoids to the fetuses is often considered to mediate the programming effects of maternal stress on the offspring. However, protective mechanisms including attenuated maternal stress responses and placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (which inactivates glucocorticoids) should limit materno-fetal glucocorticoid transfer during pregnancy. Moreover, a lack of correlation between maternal stress, circulating maternal glucocorticoid levels and circulating fetal glucocorticoid levels is reported in several studies and across different species. Therefore, here we interrogate the evidence for a role for maternal glucocorticoids in mediating the effects of maternal stress on the offspring and consider the evidence for alternative mechanisms, including an indirect role for glucocorticoids and the contribution of changes in the placenta in signalling the stress status of the mother to the fetus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sze
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Paula J Brunton
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Joint Institute, Haining, Zhejiang 314400, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Barretto-de-Souza L, Benini R, Reis-Silva LL, Busnardo C, Crestani CC. Role of corticotropin-releasing factor neurotransmission in the lateral hypothalamus on baroreflex impairment evoked by chronic variable stress in rats. Pflugers Arch 2024; 476:351-364. [PMID: 38228895 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02904-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Despite the importance of physiological responses to stress in a short-term, chronically these adjustments may be harmful and lead to diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) has been reported to be involved in expression of physiological and behavioral responses to stress, but the local neurochemical mechanisms involved are not completely described. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurotransmission is a prominent brain neurochemical system implicated in the physiological and behavioral changes induced by aversive threats. Furthermore, chronic exposure to aversive situations affects the CRF neurotransmission in brain regions involved in stress responses. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the influence of CRF neurotransmission in the LH on changes in cardiovascular function and baroreflex activity induced by chronic variable stress (CVS). We identified that CVS enhanced baseline arterial pressure and impaired baroreflex function, which were followed by increased expression of CRF2, but not CRF1, receptor expression within the LH. Local microinjection of either CRF1 or CRF2 receptor antagonist within the LH inhibited the baroreflex impairment caused by CVS, but without affecting the mild hypertension. Taken together, the findings documented in this study suggest that LH CRF neurotransmission participates in the baroreflex impairment related to chronic stress exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Barretto-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km 01, Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Benini
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km 01, Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Lilian L Reis-Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km 01, Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Busnardo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km 01, Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Carlos C Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km 01, Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Greiner EM, Witt ME, Moran SJ, Petrovich GD. Activation patterns in male and female forebrain circuitries during food consumption under novelty. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:403-429. [PMID: 38193917 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02742-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The influence of novelty on feeding behavior is significant and can override both homeostatic and hedonic drives due to the uncertainty of potential danger. Previous work found that novel food hypophagia is enhanced in a novel environment and that males habituate faster than females. The current study's aim was to identify the neural substrates of separate effects of food and context novelty. Adult male and female rats were tested for consumption of a novel or familiar food in either a familiar or in a novel context. Test-induced Fos expression was measured in the amygdalar, thalamic, striatal, and prefrontal cortex regions that are important for appetitive responding, contextual processing, and reward motivation. Food and context novelty induced strikingly different activation patterns. Novel context induced Fos robustly in almost every region analyzed, including the central (CEA) and basolateral complex nuclei of the amygdala, the thalamic paraventricular (PVT) and reuniens nuclei, the nucleus accumbens (ACB), the medial prefrontal cortex prelimbic and infralimbic areas, and the dorsal agranular insular cortex (AI). Novel food induced Fos in a few select regions: the CEA, anterior basomedial nucleus of the amygdala, anterior PVT, and posterior AI. There were also sex differences in activation patterns. The capsular and lateral CEA had greater activation for male groups and the anterior PVT, ACB ventral core and shell had greater activation for female groups. These activation patterns and correlations between regions, suggest that distinct functional circuitries control feeding behavior when food is novel and when eating occurs in a novel environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza M Greiner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Mary E Witt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Stephanie J Moran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Gorica D Petrovich
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Paul N, Maiti K, Sultana Z, Fisher JJ, Zhang H, Cole N, Morgan T, Smith R. Human placenta releases extracellular vesicles carrying corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA into the maternal blood. Placenta 2024; 146:71-78. [PMID: 38190772 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The human placenta releases diverse extracellular vesicles (EVs), including microvesicles (100-1000 nm) and exosomes (30-150 nm), into the maternal blood for feto-maternal communication. Exosomes and microvesicles contribute to normal pregnancy physiology and major pregnancy pathologies. Differences in miRNA expressions and protein content in placental exosomes have been reported in complicated pregnancies. During human pregnancy, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) is produced and released by the placenta into the maternal blood. CRH is involved in regulating gestational length and the initiation of labour. CRH mRNA levels in the maternal plasma rise with gestation. High levels of CRH mRNA are reported to be associated with preeclamptic and preterm pregnancies. However, the underlying mechanism of placental CRH mRNA secretion remains to be elucidated. We hypothesise that the placenta releases CRH mRNA packaged within extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the maternal blood. In this study, placental EVs (microvesicles and exosomes) were isolated from human term healthy placentas via villus washes and from explant culture media by differential centrifugation and purified by density gradient ultracentrifugation using a continuous sucrose gradient (0.25-2.5 M). Western blotting using placenta- and exosome-specific markers and electron microscopy confirmed exosomes and microvesicles in the placental wash and explant media samples. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR data detected CRH mRNA in placenta-derived EVs from placental washes and explants. We also sorted placenta-secreted EVs in maternal plasma samples (≥37 weeks) by high-resolution flow cytometry using a fluorescent-labelled PLAP antibody. CRH mRNA was demonstrated in placental EVs obtained from maternal blood plasma. We therefore show that human placental EVs carry CRH mRNA into the maternal blood. Our study implies that measuring CRH mRNA in placental EVs in the maternal plasma could beused for monitoring pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjana Paul
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, 2305, Australia; Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, The University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kaushik Maiti
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, 2305, Australia
| | - Zakia Sultana
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, 2305, Australia
| | - Joshua J Fisher
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, 2305, Australia
| | - Huiming Zhang
- Research and Innovation Division, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Nicole Cole
- Research and Innovation Division, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Terry Morgan
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Roger Smith
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, 2305, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nipper MA, Helms ML, Finn DA, Ryabinin AE. Stress-enhanced ethanol drinking does not increase sensitivity to the effects of a CRF-R1 antagonist on ethanol intake in male and female mice. Alcohol 2024:S0741-8329(24)00001-6. [PMID: 38185336 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Research confirms that stress is associated with alcohol drinking and relapse in males and females and that there are sex differences in the alcohol-related adaptations of stress pathways. The predator stress (PS) model of traumatic stress produces an increase in alcohol drinking or self-administration in a subpopulation of rodents, so it is utilized as an animal model of comorbid alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous work determined that sensitivity to PS-enhanced drinking produced sex differences in proteins related to stress-regulating systems in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The present studies examined whether male and female C57BL/6J mice differ in sensitivity to the ability of the corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 antagonist CP-376395 to decrease PS-enhanced drinking. In control studies, CP-376395 doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg dose-dependently decreased 4-hour ethanol drinking. Next, CP-376395 doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg were tested for effects on ethanol drinking in mice with differential sensitivity to PS-enhanced drinking. Subgroups of "Sensitive" and "Resilient" male and female mice were identified based on changes in ethanol intake in an unrestricted access ethanol drinking procedure following four exposures to PS (dirty rat bedding). During the first 2 hours post-injection of CP-376395, both doses significantly decreased ethanol licks versus vehicle in the females, with no significant interaction between subgroups, whereas the 10 mg/kg dose significantly decreased ethanol licks versus vehicle in the "Resilient" males. Thus, sensitivity to the suppressive effect of CP-376395 on stress-induced ethanol intake was greater in females versus males, whereas sensitivity and resilience to PS-enhanced drinking produced differential sensitivity to the ability of CP-376395 to decrease ethanol drinking only in male mice. Our results argue against greater efficacy of CRF-R1's ability to decrease ethanol intake in subjects with traumatic stress-enhanced ethanol drinking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Nipper
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Melinda L Helms
- Department of Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Deborah A Finn
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239; Department of Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Andrey E Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Montgomery KR, Bridi MS, Folts LM, Marx-Rattner R, Zierden HC, Wulff AB, Kodjo EA, Thompson SM, Bale TL. Chemogenetic activation of CRF neurons as a model of chronic stress produces sex-specific physiological and behavioral effects. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:443-454. [PMID: 37833589 PMCID: PMC10724197 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01739-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Trauma and chronic stress exposure are the strongest predictors of lifetime neuropsychiatric disease presentation. These disorders often have significant sex biases, with females having higher incidences of affective disorders such as major depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Understanding the mechanisms by which stress exposure heightens disease vulnerability is essential for developing novel interventions. Current rodent stress models consist of a battery of sensory, homeostatic, and psychological stressors that are ultimately integrated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons to trigger corticosteroid release. These stress paradigms, however, often differ between research groups in the type, timing, and duration of stressors utilized. These inconsistencies, along with the variability of individual animals' perception and response to each stressor, present challenges for reproducibility and translational relevance. Here, we hypothesized that a more direct approach using chemogenetic activation of CRF neurons would recapitulate the effects of traditional stress paradigms and provide a high-throughput method for examining stress-relevant phenotypes. Using a transgenic approach to express the Gq-coupled Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD) receptor hM3Dq in CRF-neurons, we found that the DREADD ligand clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) produced an acute and robust activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as predicted. Interestingly, chronic treatment with this method of direct CRF activation uncovered a novel sex-specific dissociation of glucocorticoid levels with stress-related outcomes. Despite hM3Dq-expressing females producing greater corticosterone levels in response to CNO than males, hM3Dq-expressing males showed significant typical physiological stress sensitivity with reductions in body and thymus weights. hM3Dq-expressing females while resistant to the physiological effects of chronic CRF activation, showed significant increases in baseline and fear-conditioned freezing behaviors. These data establish a novel mouse model for interrogating stress-relevant phenotypes and highlight sex-specific stress circuitry distinct for physiological and limbic control that may underlie disease risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R Montgomery
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Morgan S Bridi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Lillian M Folts
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ruth Marx-Rattner
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Hannah C Zierden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Andreas B Wulff
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Emmanuela A Kodjo
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Scott M Thompson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Tracy L Bale
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Center for Epigenetic Research in Child Health and Brain Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhong T, Lin Y, Zhuge R, Lin Y, Huang B, Zeng R. Reviewing the mechanism of propofol addiction. ALL LIFE 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2023.2174708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Zhong
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuyan Lin
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruohuai Zhuge
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujie Lin
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingwu Huang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruifeng Zeng
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zihlif M, Abusara OH, Al-Qerem W, Al-Ibadah M, Mahafza TM, Al-Akhras FM, Mahafza NT. CRHR1 polymorphism at rs242941, rs242940, and rs72834580: association of symptoms improvement with intranasal corticosteroids in allergic rhinitis Jordanian patients. Drug Metab Pers Ther 2023; 38:331-338. [PMID: 37216433 DOI: 10.1515/dmpt-2023-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Rhinitis is classified into several types with allergic rhinitis (AR) being the most common. AR is among the inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in which corticosteroids are administered to overcome the decrease in cortisol production. The treatment options available for AR vary with 1st line treatment being intranasal corticosteroids (INCS). The responsiveness to corticosteroids is due to their binding to corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor-1 (CRHR1). Various studies have studied the responsiveness to corticosteroids treatment in patients with asthma and COPD in association with CRHR1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). METHODS In our study, we investigated the association of three SNPs of CRHR1 gene (rs242941, rs242940, and rs72834580) with symptoms improvement post-treatment in AR patients. Blood samples were collected from 103 patients for DNA extraction and gene sequencing. Those patients started to receive INCS for 8 weeks and their symptoms were assessed, through a questionnaire, before treatment and post-treatment to check for symptoms improvement. RESULTS Our data showed that improvement of eye redness is significantly less following INCS treatment in patients with allele (C) (AOR=0.289, p-value-0.028, 95 % CI=0.096-0.873) and genotype (CC) (AOR=0.048, p-value-0.037, 95 % CI=0.003-0.832) of rs242941 SNP. There was no correlation with other genotypes, alleles, or haplotypes of the investigated SNPs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that there is no correlation between CRHR1 gene polymorphism and symptoms improvement following INCS treatment. Further studies are required to evaluate the association of INCS and symptoms improvement post-treatment with larger sample size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malek Zihlif
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Osama H Abusara
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Walid Al-Qerem
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mahmood Al-Ibadah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Tareq M Mahafza
- Department of Special Surgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Fatima M Al-Akhras
- Molecular Biology Research Laboratory, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Naseem T Mahafza
- Department of Special Surgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yang X, Geng F. Corticotropin-releasing factor signaling and its potential role in the prefrontal cortex-dependent regulation of anxiety. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1781-1794. [PMID: 37592912 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
A large body of literature has highlighted the significance of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the regulation of neuropsychiatric diseases. Anxiety disorders are among the most common neuropsychiatric disorders. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that the CRF family mediates and regulates the development and maintenance of anxiety. Thus, the CRF family is considered to be a potential target for the treatment of anxiety disorders. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a role in the occurrence and development of anxiety, and both CRF and CRF-R1 are widely expressed in the PFC. This paper begins by reviewing CRF-related signaling pathways and their different roles in anxiety and related processes. Then, the role of the CRF system in other neuropsychiatric diseases is reviewed and the potential role of PFC CRF signaling in the regulation of anxiety disorders is discussed. Although other signaling pathways are potentially involved in the process of anxiety, CRF in the PFC primarily modulates anxiety disorders through the activation of corticotropin-releasing factor type1 receptors (CRF-R1) and the excitation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Moreover, the main signaling pathways of CRF involved in sex differentiation in the PFC appear to be different. In summary, this review suggests that the CRF system in the PFC plays a critical role in the occurrence of anxiety. Thus, CRF signaling is of great significance as a potential target for the treatment of stress-related disorders in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei Geng
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Simon B, Thury AÁ, Török L, Földesi I, Csabafi K, Bagosi Z. The effects of alcohol on anxiety-like, depression-like, and social behavior immediately and a day after binge drinking. Alcohol 2023; 112:17-24. [PMID: 37236432 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of binge drinking on anxiety-like, depression-like, and social behavior. The participation of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors (CRF1 and CRF2) in these effects was also investigated. Therefore, male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to drinking in the dark, a classical animal model for binge drinking, and treated intracerebroventricularly (icv) with selective CRF1 antagonist antalarmin or selective CRF2 antagonist astressin2B, immediately or 24 h after binge drinking. After 30 min, the animals were investigated in an elevated plus-maze test and a forced swim test for anxiety-like and depression-like signs, respectively. In addition, mice were tested in a three-chamber social interaction arena for sociability and preference for social novelty. Immediately after binge drinking, mice exposed to alcohol expressed anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, which were reduced by astressin2B, but not antalarmin. Moreover, mice exposed to alcohol showed increased sociability and preference for social novelty immediately after binge drinking. In contrast, 24 h after binge drinking mice exposed to alcohol presented anxiety-like and depression-like signs, which were reversed by antalarmin, but not astressin2B. However, mice exposed to alcohol did not show any significant change in social interaction after 24 h. The present study demonstrates that alcohol exerts different effects on anxiety-like, depression-like, and social behavior immediately and a day after binge drinking, and that the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects produced by binge drinking are mediated by CRF2, whereas the anxiety-like and depression-like signs observed the next day are promoted by CRF1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Simon
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Attila Ágoston Thury
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Török
- Department of Traumatology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Imre Földesi
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Csabafi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Bagosi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
De Alcubierre D, Ferrari D, Mauro G, Isidori AM, Tomlinson JW, Pofi R. Glucocorticoids and cognitive function: a walkthrough in endogenous and exogenous alterations. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1961-1982. [PMID: 37058223 PMCID: PMC10514174 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02091-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis exerts many actions on the central nervous system (CNS) aside from stress regulation. Glucocorticoids (GCs) play an important role in affecting several cognitive functions through the effects on both glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). In this review, we aim to unravel the spectrum of cognitive dysfunction secondary to derangement of circulating levels of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids. METHODS All relevant human prospective and retrospective studies published up to 2022 in PubMed reporting information on HPA disorders, GCs, and cognition were included. RESULTS Cognitive impairment is commonly found in GC-related disorders. The main brain areas affected are the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex, with memory being the most affected domain. Disease duration, circadian rhythm disruption, circulating GCs levels, and unbalanced MR/GR activation are all risk factors for cognitive decline in these patients, albeit with conflicting data among different conditions. Lack of normalization of cognitive dysfunction after treatment is potentially attributable to GC-dependent structural brain alterations, which can persist even after long-term remission. CONCLUSION The recognition of cognitive deficits in patients with GC-related disorders is challenging, often delayed, or mistaken. Prompt recognition and treatment of underlying disease may be important to avoid a long-lasting impact on GC-sensitive areas of the brain. However, the resolution of hormonal imbalance is not always followed by complete recovery, suggesting irreversible adverse effects on the CNS, for which there are no specific treatments. Further studies are needed to find the mechanisms involved, which may eventually be targeted for treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D De Alcubierre
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Ferrari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Mauro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - J W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - R Pofi
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Greiner EM, Witt ME, Moran SJ, Petrovich GD. Activation patterns in male and female forebrain circuitries during food consumption under novelty. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3328570. [PMID: 37790415 PMCID: PMC10543437 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3328570/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The influence of novelty on feeding behavior is significant and can override both homeostatic and hedonic drives due to the uncertainty of potential danger. Previous work found that novel food hypophagia is enhanced in a novel environment and that males habituate faster than females. The current study's aim was to identify the neural substrates of separate effects of food and context novelty. Adult male and female rats were tested for consumption of a novel or family food in either a familiar or in a novel context. Test-induced Fos expression was measured in the amygdalar, thalamic, striatal, and prefrontal cortex regions that are important for appetitive responding, contextual processing, and reward motivation. Food and context novelty induced strikingly different activation patterns. Novel context induced Fos robustly in almost every region analyzed, including the central (CEA) and basolateral complex nuclei of the amygdala, the thalamic paraventricular (PVT) and reuniens nuclei, the nucleus accumbens (ACB), the medial prefrontal cortex prelimbic and infralimbic areas, and the dorsal agranular insular cortex (AI). Novel food induced Fos in a few select regions: the CEA, anterior basomedial nucleus of the amygdala, anterior PVT, and posterior AI. There were also sex differences in activation patterns. The capsular and lateral CEA had greater activation for male groups and the anterior PVT, ACB ventral core and shell had greater activation for female groups. These activation patterns and correlations between regions, suggest that distinct functional circuitries control feeding behavior when food is novel and when eating occurs in a novel environment.
Collapse
|
17
|
Stadtler H, Neigh GN. Sex Differences in the Neurobiology of Stress. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2023; 46:427-446. [PMID: 37500242 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
This review highlights the existing knowledge and data that explain the physiologic impacts of stress, especially pertaining to neurobiology, and how these impacts differ by sex. Furthermore, this review explains the benefits of interventions aimed at preventing or mitigating the adverse effects of stress, because of both the significant toll of stress on the body and the disproportionate impact of these changes experienced by women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stadtler
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 1101 East Marshall Street Box 980709, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gretchen N Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 1101 East Marshall Street Box 980709, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
van de Poll Y, Cras Y, Ellender TJ. The neurophysiological basis of stress and anxiety - comparing neuronal diversity in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) across species. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1225758. [PMID: 37711509 PMCID: PMC10499361 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1225758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), as part of the extended amygdala, has become a region of increasing interest regarding its role in numerous human stress-related psychiatric diseases, including post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder amongst others. The BNST is a sexually dimorphic and highly complex structure as already evident by its anatomy consisting of 11 to 18 distinct sub-nuclei in rodents. Located in the ventral forebrain, the BNST is anatomically and functionally connected to many other limbic structures, including the amygdala, hypothalamic nuclei, basal ganglia, and hippocampus. Given this extensive connectivity, the BNST is thought to play a central and critical role in the integration of information on hedonic-valence, mood, arousal states, processing emotional information, and in general shape motivated and stress/anxiety-related behavior. Regarding its role in regulating stress and anxiety behavior the anterolateral group of the BNST (BNSTALG) has been extensively studied and contains a wide variety of neurons that differ in their electrophysiological properties, morphology, spatial organization, neuropeptidergic content and input and output synaptic organization which shape their activity and function. In addition to this great diversity, further species-specific differences are evident on multiple levels. For example, classic studies performed in adult rat brain identified three distinct neuron types (Type I-III) based on their electrophysiological properties and ion channel expression. Whilst similar neurons have been identified in other animal species, such as mice and non-human primates such as macaques, cross-species comparisons have revealed intriguing differences such as their comparative prevalence in the BNSTALG as well as their electrophysiological and morphological properties, amongst other differences. Given this tremendous complexity on multiple levels, the comprehensive elucidation of the BNSTALG circuitry and its role in regulating stress/anxiety-related behavior is a major challenge. In the present Review we bring together and highlight the key differences in BNSTALG structure, functional connectivity, the electrophysiological and morphological properties, and neuropeptidergic profiles of BNSTALG neurons between species with the aim to facilitate future studies of this important nucleus in relation to human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yana van de Poll
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yasmin Cras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tommas J. Ellender
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ip CK, Rezitis J, Qi Y, Bajaj N, Koller J, Farzi A, Shi YC, Tasan R, Zhang L, Herzog H. Critical role of lateral habenula circuits in the control of stress-induced palatable food consumption. Neuron 2023; 111:2583-2600.e6. [PMID: 37295418 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress fuels the consumption of palatable food and can enhance obesity development. While stress- and feeding-controlling pathways have been identified, how stress-induced feeding is orchestrated remains unknown. Here, we identify lateral habenula (LHb) Npy1r-expressing neurons as the critical node for promoting hedonic feeding under stress, since lack of Npy1r in these neurons alleviates the obesifying effects caused by combined stress and high fat feeding (HFDS) in mice. Mechanistically, this is due to a circuit originating from central amygdala NPY neurons, with the upregulation of NPY induced by HFDS initiating a dual inhibitory effect via Npy1r signaling onto LHb and lateral hypothalamus neurons, thereby reducing the homeostatic satiety effect through action on the downstream ventral tegmental area. Together, these results identify LHb-Npy1r neurons as a critical node to adapt the response to chronic stress by driving palatable food intake in an attempt to overcome the negative valence of stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi Kin Ip
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Jemma Rezitis
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Yue Qi
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Nikita Bajaj
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Julia Koller
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Aitak Farzi
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Yan-Chuan Shi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Neuroendocrinology Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Ramon Tasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lei Zhang
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bagosi Z, Megyesi K, Ayman J, Rudersdorf H, Ayaz MK, Csabafi K. The Role of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and CRF-Related Peptides in the Social Behavior of Rodents. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2217. [PMID: 37626714 PMCID: PMC10452353 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was isolated from an ovine brain, a growing family of CRF-related peptides has been discovered. Today, the mammalian CRF system consists of four ligands (CRF, urocortin 1 (Ucn1), urocortin 2 (Ucn2), and urocortin 3 (Ucn3)); two receptors (CRF receptor type 1 (CRF1) and CRF receptor type 2 (CRF2)); and a CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP). Besides the regulation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses to stress, CRF and CRF-related peptides are also involved in different aspects of social behavior. In the present study, we review the experiments that investigated the role of CRF and the urocortins involved in the social behavior of rats, mice, and voles, with a special focus on sociability and preference for social novelty, as well as the ability for social recognition, discrimination, and memory. In general, these experiments demonstrate that CRF, Ucn1, Ucn2, and Ucn3 play important, but distinct roles in the social behavior of rodents, and that they are mediated by CRF1 and/or CRF2. In addition, we suggest the possible brain regions and pathways that express CRF and CRF-related peptides and that might be involved in social interactions. Furthermore, we also emphasize the differences between the species, strains, and sexes that make translation of these roles from rodents to humans difficult.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Bagosi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (H.R.); (M.K.A.); (K.C.)
| | - Kíra Megyesi
- Interdisciplinary Center for Excellence, Clinical Research Competence Center, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Jázmin Ayman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Albert School of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Hanna Rudersdorf
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (H.R.); (M.K.A.); (K.C.)
| | - Maieda Khan Ayaz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (H.R.); (M.K.A.); (K.C.)
| | - Krisztina Csabafi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (H.R.); (M.K.A.); (K.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Metwalli AH, Pross A, Desfilis E, Abellán A, Medina L. Mapping of corticotropin-releasing factor, receptors, and binding protein mRNA in the chicken telencephalon throughout development. J Comp Neurol 2023. [PMID: 37393534 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the neural mechanisms that regulate the stress response is critical to know how animals adapt to a changing world and is one of the key factors to be considered for improving animal welfare. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is crucial for regulating physiological and endocrine responses, triggering the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) during stress. In mammals, several telencephalic areas, such as the amygdala and the hippocampus, regulate the autonomic system and the HPA responses. These centers include subpopulations of CRF containing neurons that, by way of CRF receptors, play modulatory roles in the emotional and cognitive aspects of stress. CRF binding protein also plays a role, buffering extracellular CRF and regulating its availability. CRF role in activation of the HPA is evolutionary conserved in vertebrates, highlighting the relevance of this system to help animals cope with adversity. However, knowledge on CRF systems in the avian telencephalon is very limited, and no information exists on detailed expression of CRF receptors and binding protein. Knowing that the stress response changes with age, with important variations during the first week posthatching, the aim of this study was to analyze mRNA expression of CRF, CRF receptors 1 and 2, and CRF binding protein in chicken telencephalon throughout embryonic and early posthatching development, using in situ hybridization. Our results demonstrate an early expression of CRF and its receptors in pallial areas regulating sensory processing, sensorimotor integration and cognition, and a late expression in subpallial areas regulating the stress response. However, CRF buffering system develops earlier in the subpallium than in the pallium. These results help to understand the mechanisms underlying the negative effects of noise and light during prehatching stages in chicken, and suggest that stress regulation becomes more sophisticated with age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alek H Metwalli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Developmental Neurobiology, Lleida's Institute for Biomedical Research-Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alessandra Pross
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Developmental Neurobiology, Lleida's Institute for Biomedical Research-Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ester Desfilis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Developmental Neurobiology, Lleida's Institute for Biomedical Research-Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antonio Abellán
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Developmental Neurobiology, Lleida's Institute for Biomedical Research-Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Loreta Medina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Developmental Neurobiology, Lleida's Institute for Biomedical Research-Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ma H, Cui Z, Guo X, Zhao Q, Zhang Y, Guan Y, Yang P, Zhu H, Wang S, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Pan HL, Ma H. Corticotropin-releasing factor potentiates glutamatergic input and excitability of presympathetic neurons in the hypothalamus in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Neuropharmacology 2023; 230:109506. [PMID: 36924924 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Hyperactivity of presympathetic neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a key role in generating excess sympathetic output in hypertension. However, the mechanisms driving hyperactivity of PVN presympathetic neurons in hypertension are unclear. In this study, we determined the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the PVN in augmented glutamatergic input, neuronal excitability and sympathetic outflow in hypertension. The number of CRF or c-Fos immunoreactive neurons and CRF/c-Fos double-labeled neurons in the PVN was significantly greater in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) than in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blocking glutamatergic input reduced the CRF-potentiated excitability of spinally projecting PVN neurons. Furthermore, CRF knockdown via Crispr/Cas9 in the PVN decreased the frequencies of spontaneous firing and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in spinally projecting PVN neurons in SHRs. In addition, the mRNA and protein levels of CRFR1, but not CRFR2, in the PVN were significantly higher in SHRs than in WKY rats. Blocking CRFR1 with NBI-35965, but not blocking CRFR2 with Antisauvagine-30, reduced the frequencies of spontaneous firing and mEPSCs of spinally projecting PVN neurons in SHRs. Also, microinjection of NBI-35965 into the PVN significantly reduced arterial blood pressure (ABP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in anesthetized SHRs, but not in WKY rats. However, microinjection of Antisauvagine-30 into the PVN had no effect on ABP or RSNA in WKY rats and SHRs. Our findings suggest that endogenous CRF in the PVN potentiates glutamatergic input and firing activity of PVN presympathetic neurons via CRFR1, resulting in augmented sympathetic outflow in hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Ma
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Ziye Cui
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Xinqi Guo
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Qiyue Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Yue Guan
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Peiyun Yang
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Huaibing Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Xiangjian Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China; Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hui-Lin Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Huijie Ma
- Department of Physiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China; Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China; The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Meloni EG, Carlezon WA, Bolshakov VY. Impact of social dominance hierarchy on PACAP expression in the extended amygdala, corticosterone, and behavior in C57BL/6 male mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.03.539254. [PMID: 37205328 PMCID: PMC10187259 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.03.539254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The natural alignment of animals into social dominance hierarchies produces adaptive, and potentially maladaptive, changes in the brain that influence health and behavior. Aggressive and submissive behaviors assumed by animals through dominance interactions engage stress-dependent neural and hormonal systems that have been shown to correspond with social rank. Here, we examined the impact of social dominance hierarchies established within cages of group-housed laboratory mice on expression of the stress peptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in areas of the extended amygdala comprising the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). We also quantified the impact of dominance rank on corticosterone (CORT), body weight, and behavior including rotorod and acoustic startle response. Weight-matched male C57BL/6 mice, group-housed (4/cage) starting at 3 weeks of age, were ranked as either most-dominant (Dominant), least-dominant (Submissive) or in-between rank (Intermediate) based on counts of aggressive and submissive encounters assessed at 12 weeks-old following a change in homecage conditions. We found that PACAP expression was significantly higher in the BNST, but not the CeA, of Submissive mice compared to the other two groups. CORT levels were lowest in Submissive mice and appeared to reflect a blunted response following social dominance interactions. Body weight, motor coordination, and acoustic startle were not significantly different between the groups. Together, these data reveal changes in specific neural/neuroendocrine systems that are predominant in animals of lowest social dominance rank, and implicate PACAP in brain adaptations that occur through the development of social dominance hierarchies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward G. Meloni
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478
| | - William A. Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478
| | - Vadim Y. Bolshakov
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Simon B, Buzás A, Bokor P, Csabafi K, Ibos KE, Bodnár É, Török L, Földesi I, Siska A, Bagosi Z. The Effects of Alcohol Intoxication and Withdrawal on Hypothalamic Neurohormones and Extrahypothalamic Neurotransmitters. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051288. [PMID: 37238959 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal on hypothalamic neurohormones such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), and extrahypothalamic neurotransmitters such as striatal dopamine (DA), amygdalar gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and hippocampal glutamate (GLU). In addition, the participation of the two CRF receptors, CRF1 and CRF2, was investigated. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were exposed to repeated intraperitoneal (ip) administration of alcohol every 12 h, for 4 days and then for 1 day of alcohol abstinence. On the fifth or sixth day, intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of selective CRF1 antagonist antalarmin or selective CRF2 antagonist astressin2B was performed. After 30 min, the expression and concentration of hypothalamic CRF and AVP, the concentration of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT), and the release of striatal DA, amygdalar GABA, and hippocampal GLU were measured. Our results indicate that the neuroendocrine changes induced by alcohol intoxication and withdrawal are mediated by CRF1, not CRF2, except for the changes in hypothalamic AVP, which are not mediated by CRF receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Simon
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis Str. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Buzás
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis Str. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Bokor
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis Str. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Csabafi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis Str. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Katalin Eszter Ibos
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis Str. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Éva Bodnár
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis Str. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Török
- Department of Traumatology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Imre Földesi
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrea Siska
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Bagosi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis Str. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Traini C, Idrizaj E, Biagioni C, Baccari MC, Vannucchi MG. Otilonium Bromide Prevents Cholinergic Changes in the Distal Colon Induced by Chronic Water Avoidance Stress, a Rat Model of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087440. [PMID: 37108603 PMCID: PMC10139220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly widespread gastrointestinal disorder whose symptomatology mainly affect the large intestine. Among the risk factors, psychosocial stress is the most acknowledged. The repeated water avoidance stress (rWAS) is considered an animal model of psychosocial stress that is capable of mimicking IBS. Otilonium bromide (OB), which is orally administered, concentrates in the large bowel and controls most of the IBS symptoms in humans. Several reports have shown that OB has multiple mechanisms of action and cellular targets. We investigated whether the application of rWAS to rats induced morphological and functional alterations of the cholinergic neurotransmission in the distal colon and whether OB prevented them. The results demonstrated that rWAS affects cholinergic neurotransmission by causing an increase in acid mucin secretion, in the amplitude of electrically evoked contractile responses, abolished by atropine, and in the number of myenteric neurons expressing choline acetyltransferase. OB counteracted these changes and also showed an intrinsic antimuscarinic effect on the post-synaptic muscular receptors. We assume that the rWAS consequences on the cholinergic system are linked to corticotrophin-releasing factor-1 (CRF1) receptor activation by the CRF hypothalamic hormone. OB, by interfering with the CFR/CRFr activation, interrupted the cascade events responsible for the changes affecting the rWAS rat colon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Traini
- Histology and Embryology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Eglantina Idrizaj
- Section of Physiological Sciences, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Biagioni
- Histology and Embryology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Baccari
- Section of Physiological Sciences, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Giuliana Vannucchi
- Histology and Embryology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang H, Hu J, Hu J, Chen Q, Shang N, Liu M, Li X, Xiang L, Yin D, Lan J, Xiao Q, Peng Y. Antidepressant effect of 4-Butyl-a-agarofuran via HPA axis and serotonin system. Brain Res Bull 2023; 198:3-14. [PMID: 37076049 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide. 4-Butyl-a-agarofuran (AF-5), a derivative of agarwood furan, is currently in phase III clinical trials for generalized anxiety disorder. Herein, we explored the antidepressant effect and its possible neurobiological mechanisms in animal models. In present study, AF-5 administration markedly decreased the immobility time in mouse forced swim test and tail suspension test. In the sub-chronic reserpine-induced depressive rats, AF-5 treatment markedly increased the rectal temperature and decreased the immobility time of model rats. In addition, chronic AF-5 treatment markedly reversed the depressive-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats by reducing immobility time of forced swim test. Single treatment with AF-5 also potentiated the mouse head-twitch response induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, a metabolic precursor to serotonin), and antagonized the ptosis and motor ability triggered by reserpine. However, AF-5 had no effect on yohimbine toxicity in mice. These results indicated that acute treatment with AF-5 produced serotonergic, but not noradrenergic activation. Furthermore, AF-5 reduced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level in serum and normalized the neurotransmitter changes, including the decreased serotonin (5-HT) in hippocampus of CUMS rats. Moreover, AF-5 affected the expressions of CRFR1 and 5-HT2C receptor in CUMS rats. These findings confirm the antidepressant effect of AF-5 in animal models, which may be primarily related to CRFR1 and 5-HT2C receptor. AF-5 appears to be promising as a novel dual target drug for depression treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jinping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiahuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qiuyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Nianying Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Mengyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xinnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Longgang Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Dali Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiaqi Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Qiong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. No.1, Xiannongtan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Leite JA, Orellana AM, Andreotti DZ, Matumoto AM, de Souza Ports NM, de Sá Lima L, Kawamoto EM, Munhoz CD, Scavone C. Ouabain Reverts CUS-Induced Disruption of the HPA Axis and Avoids Long-Term Spatial Memory Deficits. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041177. [PMID: 37189795 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ouabain (OUA) is a cardiotonic steroid that modulates Na+, K+ -ATPase activity. OUA has been identified as an endogenous substance that is present in human plasma, and it has been shown to be associated with the response to acute stress in both animals and humans. Chronic stress is a major aggravating factor in psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. The present work investigates the effects of the intermittent administration of OUA (1.8 μg/kg) during the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) protocol in a rat's central nervous system (CNS). The results suggest that the intermittent OUA treatment reversed CUS-induced HPA axis hyperactivity through a reduction in (i) glucocorticoids levels, (ii) CRH-CRHR1 expression, and by decreasing neuroinflammation with a reduction in iNOS activity, without interfering with the expression of antioxidant enzymes. These changes in both the hypothalamus and hippocampus may reflect in the rapid extinction of aversive memory. The present data demonstrate the ability of OUA to modulate the HPA axis, as well as to revert CUS-induced long-term spatial memory deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Alves Leite
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Orellana
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Diana Zukas Andreotti
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Amanda Midori Matumoto
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa de Sá Lima
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Elisa Mitiko Kawamoto
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Cristoforo Scavone
- Departament of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wang L, Hu F, Li W, Li Q, Li Y, Zhu J, Wei X, Yang J, Guo J, Qin Y, Shi H, Wang W, Wang Y. Relapse risk revealed by degree centrality and cluster analysis in heroin addicts undergoing methadone maintenance treatment. Psychol Med 2023; 53:2216-2228. [PMID: 34702384 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on hubs of neural circuits associated with addiction and their degree centrality (DC), this study aimed to construct the addiction-related brain networks for patients diagnosed with heroin dependence undertaking stable methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and further prospectively identify the ones at high risk for relapse with cluster analysis. METHODS Sixty-two male MMT patients and 30 matched healthy controls (HC) underwent brain resting-state functional MRI data acquisition. The patients received 26-month follow-up for the monthly illegal-drug-use information. Ten addiction-related hubs were chosen to construct a user-defined network for the patients. Then the networks were discriminated with K-means-clustering-algorithm into different groups and followed by comparative analysis to the groups and HC. Regression analysis was used to investigate the brain regions significantly contributed to relapse. RESULTS Sixty MMT patients were classified into two groups according to their brain-network patterns calculated by the best clustering-number-K. The two groups had no difference in the demographic, psychological indicators and clinical information except relapse rate and total heroin consumption. The group with high-relapse had a wider range of DC changes in the cortical-striatal-thalamic circuit relative to HC and a reduced DC in the mesocorticolimbic circuit relative to the low-relapse group. DC activity in NAc, vACC, hippocampus and amygdala were closely related with relapse. CONCLUSION MMT patients can be identified and classified into two subgroups with significantly different relapse rates by defining distinct brain-network patterns even if we are blind to their relapse outcomes in advance. This may provide a new strategy to optimize MMT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Feng Hu
- Department of Radiology, The Hospital of Shaanxi Provincial Geology and Mineral Resources Bureau, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Yongbin Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Jia Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Wei
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China
| | - Jianxin Guo
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yue Qin
- Department of Radiology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Hong Shi
- Department of Radiology, Xi'an No.1 Hospital, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Yarong Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Foilb AR, Taylor-Yeremeeva EM, Fritsch EL, Ravichandran C, Lezak KR, Missig G, McCullough KM, Carlezon WA. Differential effects of the stress peptides PACAP and CRF on sleep architecture in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.22.533872. [PMID: 36993188 PMCID: PMC10055371 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.22.533872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Stress produces profound effects on behavior, including persistent alterations in sleep patterns. Here we examined the effects of two prototypical stress peptides, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), on sleep architecture and other translationally-relevant endpoints. Male and female mice were implanted with subcutaneous transmitters enabling continuous measurement of electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), as well as body temperature and locomotor activity, without tethering that restricts free movement, body posture, or head orientation during sleep. At baseline, females spent more time awake (AW) and less time in slow wave sleep (SWS) than males. Mice then received intracerebral infusions of PACAP or CRF at doses producing equivalent increases in anxiety-like behavior. The effects of PACAP on sleep architecture were similar in both sexes and resembled those reported in male mice after chronic stress exposure. Compared to vehicle infusions, PACAP infusions decreased time in AW, increased time in SWS, and increased rapid eye movement sleep (REM) time and bouts on the day following treatment. In addition, PACAP effects on REM time remained detectable a week after treatment. PACAP infusions also reduced body temperature and locomotor activity. Under the same experimental conditions, CRF infusions had minimal effects on sleep architecture in either sex, causing only transient increases in SWS during the dark phase, with no effects on temperature or activity. These findings suggest that PACAP and CRF have fundamentally different effects on sleep-related metrics, and provide new insights into the mechanisms by which stress disrupts sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison R Foilb
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Elisa M Taylor-Yeremeeva
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Emma L Fritsch
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin Ravichandran
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly R Lezak
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Galen Missig
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth M McCullough
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - William A Carlezon
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wyns A, Hendrix J, Lahousse A, De Bruyne E, Nijs J, Godderis L, Polli A. The Biology of Stress Intolerance in Patients with Chronic Pain—State of the Art and Future Directions. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062245. [PMID: 36983246 PMCID: PMC10057496 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress has been consistently linked to negative impacts on physical and mental health. More specifically, patients with chronic pain experience stress intolerance, which is an exacerbation or occurrence of symptoms in response to any type of stress. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unsolved. In this state-of-the-art paper, we summarised the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the two major stress response systems in stress intolerance. We provided insights into such mechanisms based on evidence from clinical studies in both patients with chronic pain, showing dysregulated stress systems, and healthy controls supported by preclinical studies, highlighting the link between these systems and symptoms of stress intolerance. Furthermore, we explored the possible regulating role for (epi)genetic mechanisms influencing the ANS and HPA axis. The link between stress and chronic pain has become an important area of research as it has the potential to inform the development of interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain. As stress has become a prevalent concern in modern society, understanding the connection between stress, HPA axis, ANS, and chronic health conditions such as chronic pain is crucial to improve public health and well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne Wyns
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
| | - Jolien Hendrix
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Astrid Lahousse
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Rehabilitation Research (RERE) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy (KIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Unit of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, IDEWE, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Andrea Polli
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Halladay LR, Herron SM. Lasting impact of postnatal maternal separation on the developing BNST: Lifelong socioemotional consequences. Neuropharmacology 2023; 225:109404. [PMID: 36572178 PMCID: PMC9926961 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nearly one percent of children in the US experience childhood neglect or abuse, which can incite lifelong emotional and behavioral disorders. Many studies investigating the neural underpinnings of maleffects inflicted by early life stress have largely focused on dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Newer veins of evidence suggest that exposure to early life stressors can interrupt neural development in extrahypothalamic areas as well, including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). One widely used approach in this area is rodent maternal separation (MS), which typically consists of separating pups from the dam for extended periods of time, over several days during the first weeks of postnatal life - a time when pups are highly dependent on maternal care for survival. MS has been shown to incite myriad lasting effects not limited to increased anxiety-like behavior, hyper-responsiveness to stressors, and social behavior deficits. The behavioral effects of MS are widespread and thus unlikely to be limited to hypothalamic mechanisms. Recent work has highlighted the BNST as a critical arbiter of some of the consequences of MS, especially socioemotional behavioral deficits. The BNST is a well-documented modulator of anxiety, reward, and social behavior by way of its connections with hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic systems. Moreover, during the postnatal period when MS is typically administered, the BNST undergoes critical neural developmental events. This review highlights evidence that MS interferes with neural development to permanently alter BNST circuitry, which may account for a variety of behavioral deficits seen following early life stress. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Fear, Anxiety and PTSD'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay R Halladay
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA, 95053, USA.
| | - Steven M Herron
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Wang X, Ge S, Zhang C. Bed nuclei of the stria terminalis: A key hub in the modulation of anxiety. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:900-917. [PMID: 36725691 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) is recognised as a pivotal integrative centre for monitoring emotional valence. It is implicated in the regulation of diverse affective states and motivated behaviours, and decades of research have firmly established its critical role in anxiety-related behavioural processes. Researchers have recently intricately dissected the BST's dynamic activities, its connection patterns and its functions with respect to specific cell types using multiple techniques such as optogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging and transgenic tools to unmask the complex circuitry mechanisms that underlie anxiety. In this review, we principally focus on studies of anxiety-involved neuromodulators within the BST and provide a comprehensive architecture of the anxiety network-highlighting the BST as a key hub in orchestrating anxiety-like behaviour. We posit that these promising efforts will contribute to the identification of an accurate roadmap for future treatment of anxiety disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shenglin Ge
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chengxin Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Bienboire-Frosini C, Marcet-Rius M, Orihuela A, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mora-Medina P, Olmos-Hernández A, Casas-Alvarado A, Mota-Rojas D. Mother-Young Bonding: Neurobiological Aspects and Maternal Biochemical Signaling in Altricial Domesticated Mammals. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030532. [PMID: 36766424 PMCID: PMC9913798 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mother-young bonding is a type of early learning where the female and their newborn recognize each other through a series of neurobiological mechanisms and neurotransmitters that establish a behavioral preference for filial individuals. This process is essential to promote their welfare by providing maternal care, particularly in altricial species, animals that require extended parental care due to their limited neurodevelopment at birth. Olfactory, auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli trigger the neural integration of multimodal sensory and conditioned affective associations in mammals. This review aims to discuss the neurobiological aspects of bonding processes in altricial mammals, with a focus on the brain structures and neurotransmitters involved and how these influence the signaling during the first days of the life of newborns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Bienboire-Frosini
- Department of Molecular Biology and Chemical Communication, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France
| | - Míriam Marcet-Rius
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Department, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France
| | - Agustín Orihuela
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco Campus, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54740, Mexico
| | - Adriana Olmos-Hernández
- Division of Biotechnology—Bioterio and Experimental Surgery, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), Tlalpan, Mexico City 14389, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Casas-Alvarado
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco Campus, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco Campus, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Maternal opioid addiction: A potential cause of elevated 17-OH progesterone in neonatal screening. Arch Pediatr 2023; 30:77-82. [PMID: 36526499 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a disease that is part of neonatal screening. There are many causes of false-positive results on neonatal screening, and maternal opioid consumption during pregnancy is suspected to increase 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) levels at birth. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal drug consumption on 17-OHP values on neonatal screening. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 17-OHP levels of term newborns with reported maternal drug consumption born at the Maternity Hospital of Nancy between 2002 and 2018. These infants were matched with newborns of mothers without drug addiction. The 17-OHP levels, withdrawal syndromes, birth parameters, and maternal characteristics were compared between the two groups. RESULTS The study included 241 patients (121 in the drug-exposed group, 120 in the control group). The mean 17-OHP levels in newborns of mothers with substance addiction were 9.83 nmol/L compared to 4.90 nmol/L (p=0.0001) in the control group. Newborns exposed to drugs were smaller (p=0.0001), lighter (p=0.0001), had smaller head circumference (p=0.0001), and had lower Apgar scores (p=0.004 at 1 min and p=0.0001 at 5 min). The 17-OHP level did not differ in cases of withdrawal syndrome in drug-exposed newborn (p=0.911). CONCLUSION A significant increase in 17-OHP levels was observed in newborns exposed to drugs, with no influence of withdrawal syndrome on 17-OHP levels. Maternal substance addiction may be associated with moderately increased 17-OHP levels during neonatal screening.
Collapse
|
35
|
Bu G, Lin Y, Liu J, Yu P, Yong T, Yang M, Huang L, Han X, Du X, Kong F, Huang A, Zeng X, Meng F. Evidence for progesterone acting as an inhibitor of stress axis via stimulating pituitary neuropeptide B/W receptor 2 (NPBWR2) expression in chickens. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 226:106218. [PMID: 36368625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) axis is the main endocrine pathway regulating the stress response, thus also called the stress axis. It has been well-accepted that the stress axis is tightly controlled by both hypothalamic stimulators and inhibitors [e.g. corticotropin (ACTH)-releasing inhibitory factor (CRIF)]. However, the identity of authentic CRIF remains unclear for decades. Recently, neuropeptide W (NPW) was proved to be the physiological CRIF in chickens. Together with its functional receptor (NPBWR2), they play critical roles in attenuating the activity of the chicken stress axis. Because increasing pieces of evidence suggested that sex steroids could regulate the stress axis, using chicken as a model, we investigated whether the newly identified CRIF and its receptor are under the control of sex steroids in this study. Our results showed that: (1) expression of NPW-NPBWR2 in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis was sexually dimorphic and developmental stage-dependent; (2) progesterone (P4), rather than 17β-estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), could dose- and time-dependently upregulate NPBWR2 expression, which was accompanied with the decrease of ACTH synthesis and secretion, in cultured pituitary cells; (3) intraperitoneal injection of P4 could elevate the mRNA level of pituitary NPBWR2; (4) P4-stimulated NPBWR2 expression was relevant to both nPR-mediated genomic action and mPRs-triggered nongenomic route associated with MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT cascade, and calcium influx. To our knowledge, our results discover a novel route of sex steroids in modulating the stress axis of chickens, which lays a foundation to reveal the complicated interaction network between reproduction and stress axes in chickens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Bu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China.
| | - Ying Lin
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Pan Yu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Tao Yong
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Ming Yang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Linyan Huang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Xingfa Han
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Xiaogang Du
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Fanli Kong
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Anqi Huang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Xianyin Zeng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China
| | - Fengyan Meng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Raskind MA, Williams T, Holmes H, Hart K, Crews L, Poupore EL, Thomas RG, Darnell J, Daniels C, Goke K, Hendrickson R, Terry G, Mayer C, Simpson T, Saxon A, Rasmussen D, Peskind ER. A randomized controlled clinical trial of prazosin for alcohol use disorder in active duty soldiers: Predictive effects of elevated cardiovascular parameters. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2023; 47:348-360. [PMID: 36809662 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive noradrenergic signaling contributes to aversive symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that interfere with abstinence or reductions in harmful use. METHODS To address this aspect of alcohol use disorder, 102 active-duty soldiers participating in command-mandated Army outpatient alcohol treatment were randomized to also receive the brain-penetrant alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin or placebo for 13 weeks. Primary outcomes were scores on the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), standard drink units (SDUs) per day averaged over each week, % days of any drinking per week, and % days of heavy drinking per week. RESULTS PACS declines did not differ significantly between the prazosin and placebo groups in the overall sample. In the subgroup with comorbid PTSD (n = 48), PACS declines were significantly greater in the prazosin than in the placebo condition (p < 0.05). Baseline alcohol consumption was markedly reduced by the pre-randomization outpatient alcohol treatment program, but the addition of prazosin treatment produced a greater slope of decline in SDUs per day compared to placebo (p = 0.01). Preplanned subgroup analyses were performed in soldiers with elevated baseline cardiovascular measures consistent with increased noradrenergic signaling. In soldiers with elevated standing heart rate (n = 15), prazosin reduced SDUs per day (p = 0.01), % days drinking (p = 0.03), and % days heavy drinking (p = 0.001) relative to placebo. In soldiers with elevated standing systolic blood pressure (n = 27), prazosin reduced SDUs per day (p = 0.04) and tended to reduce % days drinking (p = 0.056). Prazosin also reduced depressive symptoms and the incidence of emergent depressed mood more than placebo (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01, respectively). During the final 4 weeks of prazosin vs. placebo treatment that followed completion of Army outpatient AUD treatment, alcohol consumption in soldiers with elevated baseline cardiovascular measures increased in those receiving placebo but remained suppressed in those receiving prazosin. CONCLUSIONS These results extend reports that higher pretreatment cardiovascular measures predict beneficial effects of prazosin, which may be useful for relapse prevention in patients with AUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murray A Raskind
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tammy Williams
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Hollie Holmes
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kim Hart
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laura Crews
- Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Eileen L Poupore
- Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | | | - Jolee Darnell
- Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Colin Daniels
- Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Kevin Goke
- Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Rebecca Hendrickson
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Garth Terry
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Cynthia Mayer
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tracy Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andrew Saxon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dennis Rasmussen
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elaine R Peskind
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cain CK. Beyond Fear, Extinction, and Freezing: Strategies for Improving the Translational Value of Animal Conditioning Research. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 64:19-57. [PMID: 37532965 PMCID: PMC10840073 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Translational neuroscience for anxiety has had limited success despite great progress in understanding the neurobiology of Pavlovian fear conditioning and extinction. This chapter explores the idea that conditioning paradigms have had a modest impact on translation because studies in animals and humans are misaligned in important ways. For instance, animal conditioning studies typically use imminent threats to assess short-duration fear states with single behavioral measures (e.g., freezing), whereas human studies typically assess weaker or more prolonged anxiety states with physiological (e.g., skin conductance) and self-report measures. A path forward may be more animal research on conditioned anxiety phenomena measuring dynamic behavioral and physiological responses in more complex environments. Exploring transitions between defensive brain states during extinction, looming threats, and post-threat recovery may be particularly informative. If care is taken to align paradigms, threat levels, and measures, this strategy may reveal stable patterns of non-conscious defense in animals and humans that correlate better with conscious anxiety. This shift in focus is also warranted because anxiety is a bigger problem than fear, even in disorders defined by dysfunctional fear or panic reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Cain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Das U, Gangisetty O, Chaudhary S, Tarale P, Rousseau B, Price J, Frazier I, Sarkar DK. Epigenetic insight into effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on stress axis development: Systematic review with meta-analytic approaches. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2023; 47:18-35. [PMID: 36341762 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a systematic review with meta-analytic elements using publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets to determine the role of epigenetic mechanisms in prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE)-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunctions in offspring. Several studies have demonstrated that PAE has long-term consequences on HPA axis functions in offspring. Some studies determined that alcohol-induced epigenetic alterations during fetal development persist in adulthood. However, additional research is needed to understand the major epigenetic events leading to alcohol-induced teratogenesis of the HPA axis. Our network analysis of GEO datasets identified key pathways relevant to alcohol-mediated histone modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNA involvement associated with PAE-induced alterations of the HPA axis. Our analysis indicated that PAE perturbated the epigenetic machinery to activate corticotrophin-releasing hormone, while it suppressed opioid, glucocorticoid receptor, and circadian clock genes. These results help to further our understanding of the epigenetic basis of alcohol's effects on HPA axis development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ujjal Das
- Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Omkaram Gangisetty
- Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shaista Chaudhary
- Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Prashant Tarale
- Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Bénédicte Rousseau
- Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Julianne Price
- Molecular Neuroscience of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Training, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Kinesiology & Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ian Frazier
- Molecular Neuroscience of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Training, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Kinesiology & Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Dipak K Sarkar
- Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Molecular Neuroscience of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Training, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Rutgers Endocrinology Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Edwards PD, Toor I, Holmes MM. The Curious Case of the Naked Mole-Rat: How Extreme Social and Reproductive Adaptations Might Influence Sex Differences in the Brain. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 62:47-70. [PMID: 35301704 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Research in the neurobiology of sex differences is inherently influenced by the study species that are used. Some traditional animal research models, such as rats and mice, show certain sex differences in the brain that have been foundational to neurobiological research. However, subsequent work has demonstrated that these differences are not always generalizable, especially to species with different social structures and sex-associated roles or behaviors. One such example is the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber), which has an unusual social structure among mammals. Naked mole-rats live in large groups where reproduction is restricted to a dominant female, called the "queen," and often only one breeding male. All other animals in the group, the "subordinates," are socially suppressed from reproduction and remain in a prepubescent state as adults, unless they are removed from the presence of the queen. These subordinates show little to no sex differences in external morphology, neural morphology, or behavior. However, there are a suite of neurobiological differences between subordinate and breeding naked mole-rats. After naked mole-rats attain breeding status, many of the classically sexually differentiated brain regions increase in volume (paraventricular nucleus, medial amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis). There are additionally social status differences in sex hormone receptor expression in the brain, as well as other changes in gene expression, some of which also show sex differences - though not always in the predicted direction based on other rodent studies. Data from naked mole-rats show that it is critical to consider the evolved social structure of a species when studying sex differences in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe D Edwards
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ilapreet Toor
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa M Holmes
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Micale V, Di Bartolomeo M, Di Martino S, Stark T, Dell'Osso B, Drago F, D'Addario C. Are the epigenetic changes predictive of therapeutic efficacy for psychiatric disorders? A translational approach towards novel drug targets. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 241:108279. [PMID: 36103902 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The etiopathogenesis of mental disorders is not fully understood and accumulating evidence support that clinical symptomatology cannot be assigned to a single gene mutation, but it involves several genetic factors. More specifically, a tight association between genes and environmental risk factors, which could be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, may play a role in the development of mental disorders. Several data suggest that epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, post-translational histone modification and interference of microRNA (miRNA) or long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) may modify the severity of the disease and the outcome of the therapy. Indeed, the study of these mechanisms may help to identify patients particularly vulnerable to mental disorders and may have potential utility as biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This article summarizes the most relevant preclinical and human data showing how epigenetic modifications can be central to the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant and/or antipsychotic agents, as possible predictor of drugs response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Scientific Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'Luigi Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Department of Mental Health, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Liu YS, Zhao HF, Li Q, Cui HW, Huang GD. Research Progress on the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease from the Perspective of Chronic Stress. Aging Dis 2022:AD.2022.1211. [PMID: 37163426 PMCID: PMC10389837 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.1211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to its extremely complex pathogenesis, no effective drugs to prevent, delay progression, or cure Alzheimer's disease (AD) exist at present. The main pathological features of AD are senile plaques composed of β-amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles formed by hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein, and degeneration or loss of neurons in the brain. Many risk factors associated with the onset of AD, including gene mutations, aging, traumatic brain injury, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, education level, and obesity. Growing evidence points to chronic stress as one of the major risk factors for AD, as it can promote the onset and development of AD-related pathologies via a mechanism that is not well known. The use of murine stress models, including restraint, social isolation, noise, and unpredictable stress, has contributed to improving our understanding of the relationship between chronic stress and AD. This review summarizes the evidence derived from murine models on the pathological features associated with AD and the related molecular mechanisms induced by chronic stress. These results not only provide a retrospective interpretation for understanding the pathogenesis of AD, but also provide a window of opportunity for more effective preventive and identifying therapeutic strategies for stress-induced AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Sheng Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital/the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hua-Fu Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital/the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital/the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Han-Wei Cui
- The Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital/the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guo-Dong Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital/the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Terra M, García-Arévalo M, Avelino T, Degaki K, Malospirito C, de Carvalho M, Torres F, Saito Â, Figueira A. AM-879, a PPARy non-agonist and Ser273 phosphorylation blocker, promotes insulin sensitivity without adverse effects in mice. Metabol Open 2022; 17:100221. [PMID: 36588655 PMCID: PMC9800205 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2022.100221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is one of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is considered a promising pathway on insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue metabolism. The search for molecules acting as insulin sensitizers have increased, especially for molecules that block PPARγ-Ser273 phosphorylation, without reaching full agonism. We evaluated the in vivo effects of AM-879, a PPARγ non-agonist, and found that AM-879 exerts different effects in mice depending on the dose. At lower doses, this ligand decreased BAT, increased leptin and Crh expression. However, at a higher dose, it promoted improvement on insulin sensitivity, ameliorates expression of metabolism-related genes, decreased the expression of genes related to liver toxicity, maintaining body weight and adipocyte size. These results present a new lead molecule to ameliorates insulin resistance and confirm AM-879 as a PPARγ non-agonist which blocks Ser273 phosphorylation as a good strategy to modulate insulin sensitivity without developing the adverse effects promoted by PPARγ full agonists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M.F. Terra
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil,Post Graduate Program in Functional and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - M. García-Arévalo
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - T.M. Avelino
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil,Post Graduate Program in Pharmacological Science, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - K.Y. Degaki
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C.C. Malospirito
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil,Post Graduate Program in Functional and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - M. de Carvalho
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil,Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - F.R. Torres
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Â. Saito
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - A.C.M. Figueira
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil,Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
McFalls AJ, Jenney C, Stanford RS, Woodward E, Hajnal A, Grigson PS, Vrana KE. Greater avoidance of a saccharin cue paired with passive delivery of heroin is associated with a select increase in expression of CRFR2 and CRFbp in the hippocampus in rats. Brain Res Bull 2022; 191:48-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
44
|
Haass-Koffler CL, Francis TC, Gandhi P, Patel R, Naemuddin M, Nielsen CK, Bartlett SE, Bonci A, Vasile S, Hood BL, Suyama E, Hedrick MP, Smith LH, Limpert AS, Roberto M, Cosford NDP, Sheffler DJ. Development and use of a high-throughput screen to identify novel modulators of the corticotropin releasing factor binding protein. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2022; 27:448-459. [PMID: 36210051 PMCID: PMC9762412 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress responses are believed to involve corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), its two cognate receptors (CRF1 and CRF2), and the CRF-binding protein (CRFBP). Whereas decades of research has focused on CRF1, the role of CRF2 in the central nervous system (CNS) has not been thoroughly investigated. We have previously reported that CRF2, interacting with a C terminal fragment of CRFBP, CRFBP(10kD), may have a role in the modulation of neuronal activity. However, the mechanism by which CRF interacts with CRFBP(10kD) and CRF2 has not been fully elucidated due to the lack of useful chemical tools to probe CRFBP. METHODS We miniaturized a cell-based assay, where CRFBP(10kD) is fused as a chimera with CRF2, and performed a high-throughput screen (HTS) of 350,000 small molecules to find negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of the CRFBP(10kD)-CRF2 complex. Hits were confirmed by evaluating activity toward parental HEK293 cells, toward CRF2 in the absence of CRFBP(10kD), and toward CRF1 in vitro. Hits were further characterized in ex vivo electrophysiology assays that target: 1) the CRF1+ neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of CRF1:GFP mice that express GFP under the CRF1 promoter, and 2) the CRF-induced potentiation of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR)-mediated synaptic transmission in dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). RESULTS We found that CRFBP(10kD) potentiates CRF-intracellular Ca2+ release specifically via CRF2, indicating that CRFBP may possess excitatory roles in addition to the inhibitory role established by the N-terminal fragment of CRFBP, CRFBP(27kD). We identified novel small molecule CRFBP-CRF2 NAMs that do not alter the CRF1-mediated effects of exogenous CRF but blunt CRF-induced potentiation of NMDAR-mediated synaptic transmission in dopamine neurons in the VTA, an effect mediated by CRF2 and CRFBP. CONCLUSION These results provide the first evidence of specific roles for CRF2 and CRFBP(10kD) in the modulation of neuronal activity and suggest that CRFBP(10kD)-CRF2 NAMs can be further developed for the treatment of stress-related disorders including alcohol and substance use disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina L Haass-Koffler
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School; Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies; Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence RI, United States.
| | - T Chase Francis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States; Intramural Research Program, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Pauravi Gandhi
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Reesha Patel
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Mohammad Naemuddin
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Carsten K Nielsen
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Selena E Bartlett
- Translational Research Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Stefan Vasile
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Becky L Hood
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Eigo Suyama
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Michael P Hedrick
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Layton H Smith
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Allison S Limpert
- NCI Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, United States; Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Marisa Roberto
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas D P Cosford
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States; NCI Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, United States; Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Douglas J Sheffler
- NCI Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, United States; Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Mantsch JR. Corticotropin releasing factor and drug seeking in substance use disorders: Preclinical evidence and translational limitations. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 4:100038. [PMID: 36531188 PMCID: PMC9757758 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), has been an enigmatic target for the development of medications aimed at treating stress-related disorders. Despite a large body of evidence from preclinical studies in rodents demonstrating that CRF receptor antagonists prevent stressor-induced drug seeking, medications targeting the CRF-R1 have failed in clinical trials. Here, we provide an overview of the abundant findings from preclinical rodent studies suggesting that CRF signaling is involved in stressor-induced relapse. The scientific literature that has defined the receptors, mechanisms and neurocircuits through which CRF contributes to stressor-induced reinstatement of drug seeking following self-administration and conditioned place preference in rodents is reviewed. Evidence that CRF signaling is recruited with repeated drug use in a manner that heightens susceptibility to stressor-induced drug seeking in rodents is presented. Factors that may determine the influence of CRF signaling in substance use disorders, including developmental windows, biological sex, and genetics are examined. Finally, we discuss the translational failure of medications targeting CRF signaling as interventions for substance use disorders and other stress-related conditions. We conclude that new perspectives and research directions are needed to unravel the mysterious role of CRF in substance use disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John R Mantsch
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Amado P, Zegers J, Yarur HE, Gysling K. Transcriptional Regulation, Signaling Pathways, and Subcellular Localization of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptors in the Central Nervous System. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 102:280-287. [PMID: 36167424 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors CRF-R1 and CRF-R2 are differentially distributed in body tissues, and although they respond differentially to stimuli due to their association with different signaling pathways, both receptors have a fundamental role in the response and adaptation to stressful stimuli. Here, we summarize the reported data on different forms of CRF-R1 and CRF-R2 regulation as well as on their subcellular localization. Although the presence of R1 has been described at pre- and postsynaptic sites, R2 is mainly associated with postsynaptic densities. Different studies have provided valuable information on how these receptors regulate responses at a central level, elucidating different and sometimes synergistic roles in response to stress, but despite their high sequence identity, both receptors have been described to be differentially regulated both by their ligands and by transcriptional factors. To date, and from the point of view of their promoter sequences, it has not yet been reported how the different consensus sites identified in silico could be modulating the transcriptional regulation and expression of the receptors under different conditions, which strongly limits the full understanding of their differential functions, providing a wide field to increase and expand the study of the regulation and role of CRF receptors in the CRF system. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A large number of physiological functions related to the organization of the stress response in different body tissues are associated with the corticotropin-releasing factor system. This system also plays a relevant role in depression and anxiety disorders, as well as being a direct connection between stress and addiction. A better understanding of how the receptors of this system are regulated would help to expand the understanding of how these receptors respond differently to both drugs and stressful stimuli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Amado
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Zegers
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Hector E Yarur
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Katia Gysling
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wang Y, Liu L, Gu JH, Wang CN, Guan W, Liu Y, Tang WQ, Ji CH, Chen YM, Huang J, Li WY, Shi TS, Chen WJ, Zhu BL, Jiang B. Salt-inducible kinase 1-CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 signalling in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus plays a role in depression by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Mol Psychiatry 2022:10.1038/s41380-022-01881-4. [PMID: 36434056 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01881-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during chronic stress is critical for understanding depression and treating depression. The secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is controlled by salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) and CREB-regulated transcription co-activators (CRTCs). We hypothesised that the SIK-CRTC system in the PVN might contribute to the pathogenesis of depression. Thus, the present study employed chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) models of depression, various behavioural tests, virus-mediated gene transfer, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence to investigate this connection. Our results revealed that both CSDS and CUMS induced significant changes in SIK1-CRTC1 signalling in PVN neurons. Both genetic knockdown of SIK1 and genetic overexpression of CRTC1 in the PVN simulated chronic stress, producing a depression-like phenotype in naive mice, and the CRTC1-CREB-CRH pathway mediates the pro-depressant actions induced by SIK1 knockdown in the PVN. In contrast, both genetic overexpression of SIK1 and genetic knockdown of CRTC1 in the PVN protected against CSDS and CUMS, leading to antidepressant-like effects in mice. Moreover, stereotactic infusion of TAT-SIK1 into the PVN also produced beneficial effects against chronic stress. Furthermore, the SIK1-CRTC1 system in the PVN played a role in the antidepressant actions of fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and duloxetine. Collectively, SIK1 and CRTC1 in PVN neurons are closely involved in depression neurobiology, and they could be viable targets for novel antidepressants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiang-Hong Gu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng-Niu Wang
- Basic Medical Research Centre, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen-Qian Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chun-Hui Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan-Mei Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Yu Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tian-Shun Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Jia Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bao-Lun Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Filaretova LP, Morozova OY. From the Hypothalamic Regulation of the Pituitary–Adrenocortical Axis to the Involvement of Glucocorticoids in the Gastroprotective Effect of the Corticotropin-Releasing Factor. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093022060278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
49
|
Prohaska A, Jirikowski GF, Oehring H, El Emam Dief A, Sivukhina EV. Light and electron microscopic studies on the influence of stress on prolactin-immunoreactivity in rat anterior pituitary lobe. Anat Histol Embryol 2022; 51:786-792. [PMID: 36030501 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of evidence suggests an important role of prolactin in the modulation of stress response. However, the mechanisms of its action on the HPA axis are not yet understood. Glucocorticoids, liberated from adrenal cortex due to hormonal signals from pituitary corticotrophs are known to play a key role in systemic stress response. Previously we found evidence that corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is involved in rapid, membrane-mediated actions of adrenal steroids. Here we studied qualitatively immunostainings for prolactin and CBG in pituitaries of male rats that had been subjected to osmotic challenge. We also examined late pregnant, parturient and early lactating rats, assuming that parturition represents a strong physiological stress. We employed double immunofluorescencent staining of semithin sections and immunoelectron microscopy. In stressed males we found increased prolactin immunofluorescence associated with membranes while in controls this staining was predominantly cytoplasmatic. CBG immunofluorescence was found in almost all prolactin cells of stressed males while such double staining was only occasionally observed in controls. Similar observations were made in females: While parturient rats showed intense membrane associated double staining for both antigens, late pregnant and early lactating animals showed patterns similar to that of male controls. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed increased exocytosis of prolactin containing vesicles in lactating rats. CBG was localized on cell membranes and additionally within prolactin vesicles. Our observations suggest prolactin liberation from pituitary lactotrophs along with CBG upon systemic stress response. Membrane effects of glucocorticoids mediated by CBG may be linked to stimulus secretion of prolactin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antje Prohaska
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Hartmut Oehring
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Abeer El Emam Dief
- Department of Medical Physiology, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Alizamini MM, Fattahi M, Sayehmiri F, Haghparast A, Liang J. Regulatory Role of PFC Corticotropin-Releasing Factor System in Stress-Associated Depression Disorders: A Systematic Review. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022:10.1007/s10571-022-01289-2. [PMID: 36227396 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01289-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Stress has a substantial role in formation of psychiatric disorders especially depression. Meanwhile, impairment of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is connected to the executive and cognitive deficits induced by the stress. Given the involvement of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in stress-related processes and knowing the fact that PFC hosts a lot of CRF receptors and CRF neurotransmissions, it can worth to look at the CRF as a potential treatment for the regulation of depression disorders induced by stress within PFC region. Here, for the first time we aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of intra-PFC CRF system in the modulation of depression dysfunction caused by the stress in clinical and preclinical models/studies. Qualified researches were combined utilizing a comprehensive search of six databases including Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science, Sciencedirect, APA PsycNet, and Embase in April 2021 and were evaluated through proper methodological quality assessment tools. Results indicate that PFC has a remarkable role in the modulation for stress-induced depression and intra-PFC CRF receptors agonist and antagonist are very considerable for regulating these types of impairments. Specifically, elevation of both CRF immunoreactivity and gene expression were observed in human studies. In the animal studies, mostly immunoreactivity or excitatory/inhibitory currents of CRF within the PFC regulated depression dysfunction. In conclusion, reviewed studies show a positive attitude toward the CRF system in regulation of the stress-induced depression; however, obviously further investigations are required to get closer to the best treatment. Prefrontal cortex corticotropin-releasing factor system regulates stress-induced depression. CRFR1, Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor of type1; PFC, Prefrontal cortex; Minus (-) and Plus (+) signs, dysregulation and upregulation, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirmohammadali Mirramezani Alizamini
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zip Code 100101, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mojdeh Fattahi
- Student Research Committee, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sayehmiri
- Student Research Committee, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box 19615-1178, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jing Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zip Code 100101, Beijing, China. .,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|